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Yes—the Oscars are moving from ABC to YouTube, but not until 2029. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and YouTube confirmed a multiyear agreement giving YouTube exclusive global rights to the ceremony from 2029 through 2033. The Academy says viewers worldwide will be able to watch live and free on YouTube; YouTube TV subscribers in the United States will also have access. ABC remains the Oscars’ domestic home through the 100th ceremony in 2028.
The dates and viewing options at a glance
- Final ceremony under ABC’s announced deal: the 100th Oscars, scheduled for March 5, 2028.
- First ceremony on YouTube: the 101st Oscars in 2029. Its date has not been announced.
- Announced rights term: 2029 through 2033.
- Free viewing: the Academy says the ceremony will stream live and free on YouTube worldwide.
- Additional U.S. option: YouTube TV subscribers will also be able to watch.
The Academy announced the deal on December 17, 2025. It is a confirmed rights agreement, not a rumor. The Academy’s announcement describes the arrangement as global and says YouTube will carry the Oscars live and free.
YouTube is not the same as YouTube TV
The distinction matters for anyone worried that the move means another monthly bill. YouTube is the free video platform, and the Academy has announced free access to the ceremony there. YouTube TV is a separate paid live-TV service; it is an additional viewing route for U.S. subscribers, not the only option named in the announcement.
The Academy has not said that viewers need YouTube Premium. It also has not detailed the 2029 advertising plan, so “free” should not be read as “ad-free.” The precise ad format and frequency remain unannounced. Do not subscribe to YouTube TV solely for the Oscars on the basis of the current announcement: the free YouTube stream is the stated primary public access route, subject to final availability details.
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What is included in the YouTube partnership?
The agreement covers more than the live ceremony. The Academy lists red-carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes material and access to the Governors Ball, as well as other events and programming throughout the year. These include the Governors Awards, nominations announcement, Nominees Luncheon, Student Academy Awards and Scientific and Technical Awards. Academy member and filmmaker interviews, film-education programs, podcasts and additional Academy content are also part of the announced partnership.
The announcement does not specify whether every event will be live, how the programming will be organized, or how long replays will remain available. It also does not establish that YouTube will simply simulcast ABC’s existing production. Production arrangements and any changes to the show’s format have not been detailed.
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What changes for U.S. viewers—and what does not
For the next ceremonies, the announced move does not change the stated handoff date: ABC remains the domestic home through the 2028 ceremony. The 99th Oscars are scheduled for March 14, 2027, and the 100th Oscars for March 5, 2028. The YouTube agreement begins with the 101st ceremony in 2029.
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Nothing in the announcement says ABC is losing the show immediately, or that the 2028 ceremony has already moved. Nor does the announced term mean the Oscars are committed to YouTube forever: the stated agreement covers 2029 through 2033.
What international viewers can expect
The Academy says YouTube will provide worldwide access and support closed captioning and audio tracks in multiple languages. That could make the ceremony easier to find across borders than a collection of country-by-country broadcasters, but the announcement does not settle every local detail. The language list, regional availability, local advertising arrangements and any country-specific exceptions have not been published.
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“Global rights” is the scope of the announced partnership, not a guarantee that every viewer in every country will receive an identical stream under identical terms. Viewers should check the Academy’s instructions closer to the 2029 ceremony for local availability and language options.
What is still unknown
The rights announcement confirms the platform and broad access model, but not the operational details viewers will need on the night. These points remain open:
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- The 2029 ceremony date and whether it will remain at the Dolby Theatre.
- The livestream’s exact URL, channel placement and device requirements.
- Whether viewers can pause, rewind or restart the live stream, and how long replays will be available.
- The ad format and frequency, including whether ads appear during or between program segments.
- Whether the free stream will be identical in every region.
- Accessibility features beyond the announced captions and multilingual audio.
- YouTube’s production, editorial and ad-sales responsibilities, and how sponsorship inventory will be handled.
- How the service will manage peak live traffic and regional outages.
Until those details are announced, claims that the show will be shorter, ad-free, available in 4K or supported by particular live controls would be speculation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to prepare for the 2029 ceremony
- Look for the official destination. The precise 2029 livestream page is not yet available. Check the Academy’s announcements and its official Oscars YouTube channel closer to the event rather than relying on an old or unofficial link.
- Confirm regional access. The Academy has announced global availability, but viewers should verify local instructions and any restrictions once they are published.
- Use the access route that fits. Start with the announced free YouTube option. YouTube TV is an additional U.S. option for subscribers, not a stated requirement; YouTube Premium has not been identified as necessary.
- Check your television setup in advance. Make sure the YouTube app on your smart TV or streaming device is supported and up to date. If it is not, a compatible streaming device, game console, browser casting or HDMI-connected computer may be alternatives, depending on your equipment.
- Test your connection and have a backup. Live video depends on a working internet connection. If the picture buffers, reducing video quality, restarting the app or switching networks may help. A second device or connection can be useful for a major live event.
For captions or audio tracks, check the player’s accessibility and language controls; the final controls may vary by device and have not yet been specified for the 2029 broadcast.
Why the change matters beyond awards night
Putting the ceremony on YouTube makes a free, internet-based route central to the Academy’s announced plan, rather than requiring viewers to find a broadcast channel or pay-TV bundle. YouTube can also host clips and related events throughout the year, not only one live show. That may simplify discovery for some international viewers and give the Academy a platform for more ongoing programming.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThere are trade-offs. Streaming quality depends on broadband and device support, and a large live event can be harder to find amid a platform’s usual recommendations and notifications than a familiar channel on a TV guide. Free access may include advertising, but the Academy has not yet explained how ads will work. The promised global reach and multilingual features are meaningful commitments; the practical experience will depend on details the partners have not yet released.
For now, the clearest answer is simple: ABC’s announced run ends with the 2028 Oscars, and YouTube’s begins in 2029. The Academy says viewers will be able to watch free on YouTube, with YouTube TV also available to U.S. subscribers. The rest—from the exact stream page to local access and ad breaks—will need to be confirmed closer to the first YouTube ceremony.
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